Paso Robles High selected for national welding training program
Program reaches 76 schools as nation nears 250th anniversary
– Paso Robles High School has been selected to participate in the company’s 2026 High School Welding Education Initiative.
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, announced it will expand the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative to 76 schools across 26 states in 2026.
The selection of 76 schools carries symbolic significance as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Airgas refers to the group as the “Class of 76,” highlighting its focus on preparing students with technical skills and career readiness. The 2026 cohort includes 25 new schools and 51 returning programs.
Airgas selects participating programs based on four factors: unmet need at the school, the presence of a productive welding program with the potential to graduate job-ready welders, teachers’ engagement, and support from local Airgas representatives.
The initiative began in 2018 and aims to address workforce needs in the welding industry by 2029. According to the company, the program has reached more than 16,000 students from 191 schools nationwide, provided 817 instructors with equipment and safety protective gear, and supported more than 3,100 students in transitioning directly into welding and technical careers.
Monica De La Garza, executive vice president of operations at Airgas, said, “The 2026 expansion reinforces our commitment to supporting educators and students as they work to bridge the critical skills gap in our workforce. Equipping these 76 programs with professional-grade tools used in the industry today will empower the next generation to fill their potential.”
The full list of schools selected are:
- Aiken Career Center – Aiken, SC
- Albertville High School – Albertville, AL
- Anniston High School – Anniston, AL
- Atkinson County High School – Pearson, GA
- Bacon County High School – Alma, GA
- Bakersfield R IV School – Bakersfield, MO
- Barbara Jordan Career Center – Houston, TX
- Barnwell County Career Center – Barnwell, SC
- Ben Franklin High School – Philadelphia, PA
- Brantley County High School – Nahunta, GA
- Buckeye Hills Career Center – Rio Grande, OH
- Carter Tech Center – Hampton, TN
- Charlton County High School – Folkston, GA
- Clearfield County Career And Technology Center – Clearfield, PA
- Cloudland High School – Roan Mountain, TN
- Coffee County High School – Douglas, GA
- Columbia High School – Lake City, FL
- Cooper High School – Abilene, TX
- Crescent City Jr. Sr. High School – Crescent City, FL
- David Crockett High School – Jonesborough, TN
- Dixie County Middle-High School – Cross City, FL
- Don Young Alaska Job Corps – Palmer, AK
- Dothan Tech – Dothan, AL
- Dunnellon High School – Dunnellon, FL
- Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center – Latrobe, PA
- Edison High School – Fresno, CA
- Elvis J Ballew PSJA ISD High School – Pharr, TX
- Fairfield High School – Fairfield, IA
- Franklin County School – Eastpoint, FL
- Franklinton High School – Franklinton, NC
- Frederick Douglass High School – Euclid, OH
- Galena Park High School – Galena Park, TX
- Genesee Career Institute – Flint, MI
- Grafton High School – Grafton, WV
- Granada Huntly East Chain High School – Grenada, MN
- Happy Valley High School – Elizabethton, TN
- Indiana County Technology Center – Indiana, PA
- Interlachen Jr. Sr. High School – Interlachen, FL
- Jeff Tech – Reynoldsville, PA
- Jefferson High School – Tampa, FL
- Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School – Wasilla, AK
- Kennedy High School – Richmond, CA
- Lima Senior High School – Lima, OH
- Lincoln County High School – Hamlin, WV
- Lyndon Institute – Lyndon Center, VT
- McIntosh County Academy – Darien, GA
- Merrillville High School – Merrillville, IN
- Monache High School – Porterville, CA
- Morgan County R-1 High School – Stover, MO
- Mountain Empire Community College – Big Stone Gap, VA
- Nathan Hale High School – West Allis, WI
- North Country Career Center – Newport, VT
- Northlands Job Corps Center – Vergennes, VT
- Page High School – Page, AZ
- Palatka Jr. Sr. High School – Palatka, FL
- Paso Robles High School – Paso Robles, CA
- Pierce County High School – Blackshear, GA
- Randolph High School – Philadelphia, PA
- Region 9 School of Applied Technology – Mexico, ME
- Ridgeview High School – Clintwood, VA
- Roswell High School – Roswell, NM
- Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center – Portland, OR
- Scioto County Career Technical Center – Lucasville, OH
- Scott County Technical and Career – Gate City, VA
- Strom Thurmond High School – Johnston, SC
- Tampa Bay Technical High School – Tampa, FL
- Unicoi County High School – Erwin, TN
- Velma-Alma High School – Velma, OK
- Veterans Resource Center – Dallas, TX
- Wagener Salley High School – Wagener, SC
- Ware County High School – Waycross, GA
- Weld Like a Girl – Yuma, AZ
- West Ridge High School – Blountville, TN
- West Rusk High School – New London, TX
- White Mountain Regional High School – Whitefield, NH
- Wilcox County High School – Rochelle, GA
